IBM and Cisco agree to lay the foundations for a quantum internet — companies announce plans to build a distributed quantum computing network, linking fault-tolerant systems over long distances

IBM and Cisco have announced plans to collaborate on building a distributed quantum computing network that can link fault-tolerant systems over long distances. The companies aim to demonstrate a two-machine entanglement proof-of-concept by 2030, with the ultimate goal of enabling scalable quantum workloads across multiple sites and processors. This initiative would mark a shift towards a federated architecture capable of trillions of quantum operations, combining IBM's superconducting qubit hardware with new networking infrastructure from Cisco. The proposed architecture includes a Quantum Networking Unit (QNU) to interface with IBM's quantum processors and enable transmission via photonic links. The long-term vision involves creating a quantum internet where quantum processors and entangled photonic links form a planetary-scale network of distributed resources, allowing for new applications like supply chain modeling and real-time climate simulation.